Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former US president John F. Kennedy, accused US vice president JD Vance of being responsible for the death of Pope Francis, fuelling a viral trend that labelled Vance the “antichrist” on social media platform X.
The controversy began after Vance met Pope Francis at the Vatican on Easter Sunday, April 20. The next day, the Vatican announced the Pope had died following complications from pneumonia.
Vance had shared a tribute on X, posting a photo of their meeting and writing, “My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him. I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill.”
I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) April 21, 2025
I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days…
Schlossberg’s reaction came shortly after. “Okay JD killed the pope,” he wrote on X, sparking further speculation and mockery online.
Okay JD killed the pope
— Jack Schlossberg (@JBKSchlossberg) April 21, 2025
While some supported the sentiment, others criticised the comment as disrespectful and potentially libellous.
Social media users quickly drew comparisons to former UK prime minister Liz Truss, who met Queen Elizabeth II shortly before the monarch’s death.
One wrote: “Liz Truss killed The Queen. JD Vance killed the Pope. Can we just stop these people hanging out with the elderly?”
Despite the backlash, many posts continued to brand Vance the “antichrist” or a “walking disease,” with memes and jokes spreading widely. Some called the trend distasteful, while others defended it as political satire.
Vance, a convert to Catholicism, had reportedly requested a private audience with the Pope as part of a broader diplomatic mission in Europe. The visit was not originally on his schedule.
It’s heartbreaking that Pope Francis, in his final days, poured his waning strength into reaching out to you, JD, desperately trying to save your soul from the toxic influence of a false prophet and conman, Donald Trump. How tragic that he wasted those precious moments on a…
— Barnacules Nerdgasm (@Barnacules) April 21, 2025
Sources close to the trip said Vance hoped the meeting would serve as both a personal milestone and an attempt to smooth over tensions between the Vatican and US conservatives.
Pope Francis had previously criticised Donald Trump’s policies, particularly on immigration.
Trump later shared a message on X following the Pope’s death: “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! May God Bless him and all who loved him!”
The Vatican has not commented on the conspiracy theories.
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